10% drop in cities' VMT could reap major climate benefits: report

COVID-19 presents a "window of opportunity" for cities to mitigate transportation's impact on climate, StreetLight Data's Martin Morzynski said. A small reduction in VMT is one place to start.

By Chris Teale • June 11, 2020

Bank of America issues $250K tree-planting grant to 4 cities

The funding will support green infrastructure projects across low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in St. Louis; Durham, NC; Cleveland; and Nashville, TN.

By Chris Teale • June 10, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

US residents losing trust in government: survey

ICF and MFour Mobile Research polling found 57% of adults believe their state and local governments are reopening nonessential businesses too soon.

By Cailin Crowe • June 9, 2020

The 10 cities with the highest unemployment rates: report

A recent WalletHub analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found many tourism hub workforces were particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.

By Cailin Crowe • June 9, 2020

Trump orders federal agencies to waive environmental regulations

The order does away with agencies' responsibility to abide by regulations established under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act to speed up public works projects that will create jobs.

By Kim Slowey • June 9, 2020

Missouri cities shine on the national climate action stage

While coastal cities typically drive climate action, Kansas City and St. Louis are demonstrating what Heartland cities are capable of in the fight against climate change.

By Ashok Gupta • June 8, 2020

Water associations urge EPA to expedite PFAS regulation

The National Groundwater Association and eight other water groups sent a letter to the EPA with recommendations to efficiently regulate contaminants, including PFOA and PFOS.

By Kristin Musulin • June 5, 2020

5 outcomes of an Election Day marked by protests and pandemic

The June 2 primary was unlike any other as mail-in voting became the norm to support social distancing, and voters grappled with protests, curfews and consolidated polling sites. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 4, 2020

Groups urge $22B in federal clean energy investment as sector job losses top 600K

In a letter to Congressional leaders, dozens of companies and advocacy groups proposed $22 billion in spending over five years to improve the safety, energy efficiency and resilience of critical public facilities.

By Robert Walton • June 3, 2020

Montreal tree inventory project adapts to COVID-19 limitations

With field work suspended, researchers at Concordia University are asking residents of the surrounding neighborhood to survey their own private trees. 

By Chris Teale • June 3, 2020

Cross-sector data insights are critical amid COVID-19

There's nothing like a crisis to demonstrate how hard it is to make quick sense of a tidal wave of information from every direction.

By Ashvini Saxena • June 3, 2020

Massachusetts hopes 'localized approach' to GHG inventory can spread

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council rolled out tools for local communities to collect and track emissions data, something officials believe could be replicated in other regions.

By Chris Teale • June 2, 2020

Mayors seek financial relief amid protests: 'We absolutely cannot do it alone'

Many cities grappling with already-strapped budgets due to coronavirus are calling on Congress for additional aid as they confront the costs of recent racial justice demonstrations.

By Cailin Crowe • June 2, 2020

Growing cities to monitor air quality for urban planning

Official air quality measurements are monitored by large, fixed field stations. With advancements in air sensor technology, smaller and more portable monitors are now available, which means more monitors can be placed around a community to increase the spatial resolution of air quality assessments.

June 2, 2020

Census data shows slowing population growth in big cities — for now

A Brookings Institution report found a rise in urban population growth in the first half of the decade, followed by a decline and an uncertain future due to the pandemic. 

By Cailin Crowe • June 1, 2020

Cities need more expertise, utility support in 100% renewables push: report

The authors said local leaders should invest more time to ensure the energy transition is equitable and does not leave marginalized communities behind.

By Chris Teale • June 1, 2020

A sneak peek at San Francisco's new low-carbon neighborhood

The city unanimously approved plans to build a 29-acre sustainable, transportation-efficient community on the site of a former century-old fossil fuel power plant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 29, 2020

Congestion pricing is crucial for a sustainable future in mobility

Before commuters return to our roads, there is an opportunity for metro areas to create congestion pricing systems to prevent traffic congestion and weave efficiency into transportation solutions.

By David Roberts • May 29, 2020

Koloni offers deal to save JUMP bikes from scrap

The bike-sharing platform, which worked with Spin in 2018 to redeploy old bikes, offered to pay Uber 250% over the price it receives to scrap JUMP bikes.

By Kristin Musulin • Updated May 29, 2020

Solar 'growing rapidly' in US cities: report

Fifty cities have more than doubled their total installed solar photovoltaic capacity since 2013, according to a new report by Environment America.

By Chris Teale • May 28, 2020

5 cities join national initiative to overhaul public spaces

Lexington, KY; Macon, GA; San Jose, CA; Miami and Minneapolis joined Reimagining the Civic Commons to support economic, social and environmental goals. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 28, 2020

Powering EVs is cheaper than diesel, gas in most metro hubs

A report found powering electric vehicles could save fleet operators costs in 21 of the largest 25 U.S. cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

By Guy Burdick • May 28, 2020

NYC mayor signs COVID-19 relief bill providing help for restaurants

The package includes suspension of sidewalk cafe fees through February 2021, caps on third-party delivery fees and other protections for an industry that has lost $2 billion in sales across the state. 

By Julie Littman • May 27, 2020

Columbus, OH exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 27, 2020

Observing recovery through a climate 'magnifying glass'

COVID-19 presented cities with fresh observations of climate trends, marking a crucial time for leaders to weave climate change mitigation into recovery efforts.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020